Obituaries

Ralph passed away peacefully on August 2, 2006 at the age of 97. Ralph was born on July 4, 1909 in Seattle, Washington. He lived at Alki as a boy and this is where he met Shirley Ann Mclellan, his future wife. Ralph worked at many different jobs during his life but his pride of accomplishment was the 35 years at Boeing until his retirement. Following retirement he continued to work at many different jobs; guard duty at Bethlehem Steel, a census taker, telephone book distribution and a school crossing guard for eight years, plus volunteering in the library of Schmitz Park Elementary School.

Sam was born the second son to Gladys and James B. Watkins in Hewitt, MN on August 19, 1926. He served his country in the Philippines as a Sgt. in the Army during WWII. Sam moved with his family to West Seattle in the early 1950's where he met and married the love of his life Shirley on July 2, 1968 and made their home here. He retired after 36 years at A.O. Smith Corp. You could find Grandpa a couple times a week, sitting on his favorite barstool at TNT's having a beer and playing pool with buddies, telling stories and cracking jokes!

John E. Saeger was born to Marie (Abney) and Pliny Saeger June 21, 1924 in Seattle, Washington. He was the youngest of 4 children. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1943. He served in WWII in the 475th Fighter Group as an airplane and engine mechanic on the P38 Lightning. He was later named Crew Chief and given his own plane.

He married Beverly Allen April 29, 1950 in Seattle where they raised 3 children: Jeanne, Jill, and Robert.

He remained in West Seattle and worked for US Steel for 35 years.

October 15, 1913 n

August 6, 2006

Perry Robert Townsend died of natural causes at Wesley Homes on Aug. 6, 2006.

He was married to Gertrude Townsend for 60 years, before she passed away in 1994. Perry is survived by two sons, Michael (Diane) and David, who live in Des Moines; two grandchildren, Deanna and Ryanne; and one great-grandson, Mason. He is also survived by two step-grandchildren, Sara and Kelly, and two step-great grandchildren, Lucy and Delaney.

Leslie J. Tingley, 93, passed away peacefully at Highline Medical Center in Burien on Aug. 4, 2006.

He was born in LaConner, Wash., to Clarence and Alvina Moss Tingley on April 20, 1913.

Funeral services were Aug. 10 at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel in Burien. Burial was at Anderson Cemetery on Aug. 11.

Leslie was preceded in death by his parents; three children, Brian Tingley, Judy Tingley, and Pamela Spicer; and four brothers.

Allen K. Haller, fondly called Mr. Grumps by his grandchildren, was born Dec. 13, 1927, in Portland, Ore., to Norman Haller and Vivian Baty. He died peacefully at his home in Des Moines on Aug. 4.

He descended from a pioneer family who settled in the Oregon Territory in 1845. Allen went to Milwaukee grade school, Grant High School in Portland and was a graduate in chemical engineering from Oregon State University.

Marian L Holmes, 90, was born in September 1915 in Portland, Ore., and passed into heaven July 25, 2006. She joined the George and Hattie Stewart family.

Marian was educated in the Portland area, then met her husband, Ralph Holmes, at a Seattle donut shop and married him on March 16, 1941. They added to the baby boom with son Charles and daughters Kathleen (Kimball) and Carol (Bredeson).

She spent 50 years in her "Shangri La" north Burien home. A working mother, she graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A.

Leo D. Ross passed away July 24, 2006, at Highline Medical Center in Burien.

He was born in Wichita, Kan., on August 16, 1932. He retired from Boeing after 41 years in 1994. He was a proud father of his son Ronald Ross, who passed away in 1983. He leaves his loving wife of 53 years, Norma Lee Ross, and many friends who loved him. He will be missed very much.

The memorial will be held at the Salvation Army Church, 26419 16th Ave. S., Des Moines, on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m.

Joseph 'Joe' Freeman Morton of Chewelah, Washington died June 30, 2006 at the age of 67 years. Joe was born May 13, 1939 in Kinzoo, PA but was raised in the Seattle, Washington area where he attended West Seattle High School and Olympic Junior College. While attending high school Joe broke many state athletic records. Joe retired as a Brewer from Anhauser Busch in Van Nuys California. Joe loved sport, hi pets and his family.

A lifetime resident of West Seattle, Linda passed away on July 11th at home, surrounded by her family, after a three year struggle with ovarian cancer.

Linda was born in West Seattle. She went to Jefferson and Fairmount Park Elementary Schools, Louisa Boren Junior High, and West Seattle High School. She met the love of her life, Carl Weer in high school. After graduation in 1973, Linda went to cosmetology school and became a stylist. She and Carl bought their house in West Seattle and were married in their living room in March 1978.